The conference brought together researchers, educators, linguists and representatives of educational institutions from various European countries. The focus is on new approaches to teaching Ukrainian, its role in preserving identity, and educational practices developed in the context of war and forced migration.
The initiator and chair of the conference’s organising committee is Dr. Pavlo Levchuk — linguist, researcher of the Ukrainian language in Poland, and research associate at the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences, who works on the development of Ukrainian as a foreign language in the European educational space.
“Today, the Ukrainian language outside Ukraine is not only a subject of study, but also an important tool for maintaining the connection with culture, memory and community. This conference is designed to be a space for professional conversation about how to teach Ukrainian effectively in the new European reality,” says Dr. Pavlo Levchuk.
The conference programme includes plenary addresses and thematic panels on: “Ukrainian as a Foreign Language: Ukraine’s Perspective”, “Ukrainian Language in Europe”, and “Ukrainian Language in a Time of War and Mobility: Language Change, Learning Motivation and New Didactic Tools”.
Participants include researchers and teachers from leading Polish and Ukrainian universities, including the University of Warsaw, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the Catholic University of Lublin, the University of Szczecin, the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences, schools and lyceums in Kraków, Wrocław, Toruń, Gdańsk, Radom, Jaworzno, as well as representatives of educational centres and schools where Ukrainian is taught across various European countries including Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, and Germany.
“Poland has become an important space for millions of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes due to Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine. We are convinced that the integration of Ukrainian children into Polish society is extremely important. At the same time, it is equally important that they maintain a connection with their culture, language and identity. The Ukrainian language is the foundation of that connection. So we consistently support initiatives aimed at the development and promotion of Ukrainian, and at ensuring its quality and systematic teaching in the Polish educational system,” emphasised Ambassador of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar.
“Supporting such initiatives today is especially important, because this is not only about education, but about preserving Ukrainian presence, identity and cultural voice in Europe. We see great demand for professional exchange of experience and for jointly developing new approaches to teaching Ukrainian abroad,” notes Yaryna Yasynievych, Programme Director of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation.
The conference will take place in a mixed format: some sessions will be held in Warsaw in person, others online.
